Ch 8 - Falling apart and coming togeher

new chap. goin thru mostly just plot stuf. ghostin over it. whatevvssss. gettin close to the good tuff. noticing that this story is getting really depressing and angsty...gunna have to lighten it up soon.

Semi's came fast. Everything was building. The pressure, the excitement, the friendships ; the girls could barely contain themselves. Everyone was getting along and loosening up. Beca would let herself laugh and smile around the girls, and she even made attempts at jokes with them.

"How do you know when there's a soprano at your door? She can't find her key and doesn't know when to come in!"

granted they were very poor attempts at humor, but they were attempts nonetheless. She was bonding, and letting herself become a part of them.

Even Aubrey was loosening up. She started by making them do less and less cardio, and then even went as far to suggest sleepovers and girls nights for all of them. It was a nicer, rarer side of Aubrey, and everyone appreciated it. Her and Beca weren't friends per se, but they were quickly learning to tolerate one another,

Emotions were still ever building on the ride to Semis. Rage was now among them. While the girls had stopped for gas, Bumper and the trebles had thought it humorous to chuck Mexican food at Amy. The girls had just been quietly waiting until hey heard, "IVE JUST BEEN SHOT!" The girls rushed to Amy's aid and got her cleaned up, but in the process neglected to fill their tank.

The ride was mostly quiet, everyone was doing their own thing. Stacie filed her nails, Lilly did calculus, some girls slept, and others had their ipods on. Chloe was the one to break the silence. She hadn't realized i, but she had begun singing party in the usa out loud. Cynthia rose jumped in, followed by Amy, then Stacie and Lilly and the rest. beca was the only one not singing, and the girls weren't having it. She looked back for a moment to see all the girls getting gradually closer and singing straight to her.

Just before the break they stopped and looked straight to Beca. It took her a second to realize that the girls wanted her to start up the chorus. Stacie hovered over her, nail file still in hand. Beca looked over at Chloe and Aubrey. Aubrey stared intensely at her, as if saying - if you don't join in right now i swear i will devour your soul. but no pressure. go ahead and sing." Chloe was a little more encouraging. She nodded at beca, giving an ever so slight pout.

That was all it took for her to join in. As they wrapped up their song, the bus began to stutter and slow, until it finally stopped. They were miles from semi's and completely out of gas. Luckily for them, Amy had bumpers number. Why she had it, she wouldn't quite answer.

Surprisingly, Bumper was actually very kind about the situation. While on the phone, he didn't make a single rude comment, He may have been a real jerk sometimes, but the bellas had to give him credit. He wasn't going to leave them stranded, and for that they were grateful.

There was some taunting and jabbing between the groups on the bus, but this time there was a slightly different dynamic. Instead of pure spite, there was some playful humor behind the remarks.

The two groups even warmed up together.

"You can suck my ballllsssss" the trebles would chime.

"You can lick my assssssssss" was the bellas lady like response.

It was weird, but it was good.

Up in the front of the bus, everyone's favorite quiet Asian was developing a bit of a crush on the trebles beatboxing genius.

"My names Lilly."

"Donald, But you can call me Kevin g."

" I met a Kevin g once. he was a male stripper."

Donald swerved a little on the rode. "oh. thats interesting...i take it you haven't seen mean girls?"

" i set it on fire once."

Donald laughed. "well, you are an interesting one now aren't you." He went back to beatboxing, and Lilly discovered that she had a new hobby to take up.

friendships, loves, trust, everything was building building building. But just as things build up, they all must fall.

She just wanted to help. The audience was falling asleep and there was no way they were going to move on with the way they were performing. She knew bulletproof would sound good, so she went ahead and added it in.

She felt good about it, the audience liked it. they were leaving the stage and she was in high spirits, but it all stopped.

"News flash, this isn't the Beca show." Aubrey attacked her almost immediately.

But beca already knew that. She wasn't trying to steal the spotlight, she was just trying to help them. The group. Her friends. or so she thought.

"Why don't you ask the rest of the group about how they felt about that little stunt back there."

Beca looked to the only person she thought she could. Chloe had always stood up for her before, she was sure to do it again.

But rescue never came. Chloe wouldn't even look her in the eyes. so much for best friends.

She turned to Amy, who seemed to be trying to stay in the middle of the argument. No one was coming to help Beca.

The pain kept coming. "See, i told you she wasn't a bella."

"Aubrey don't..." Chloe finally spoke up, but Beca didn't care. The damage was done. Chloe wasn't there when Beca needed her. Her "best friend" had done nothing to help her, and this crushed her. These girls were supposed to be her friends, but clearly She was wrong.

Matters only got worse when it was Jesse to the rescue. She flipped out at him because it was the only thing she had left to do. She'd opened up, and it had backfired, just like she knew it would. She didn't need anyones help. She didn't need anyone.

"If this is what i get for trying..."

With that, she was gone.

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The bellas lost, and with one night the season was over. The girls all went their separate ways. Chloe and Aubry never talked, and none of the rest of the girls kept in contact. they hated it, but the season had ended so badly that no one wanted to remember it.

spring break came around, and everyone went home to their families. Stacie unlocked the door to her home and was quickly assaulted by eager waiting family.

She scooped her younger sister Emily up and kissed her cheek.

"Stay Stay! Stay Stay!"

"Hello emily. I missed you."

"you home!"

She entered the living room to find her dad waiting for her, a small present in his hands.

"Hi honey." He smiled warmly.

"Hi daddy. What cha' got there?" She put her sister down and walked over to her dad. Emily ran over to her doll house and began playing princess.

"Just a little something for you. but you have to wait until Dan's back to open it."

"Where'd dad go?"

He gestured over to Emily. "training diaper crisis."

'we were out?"

"yup."

Stacie laughed. "Did you miss me?"

He took no time putting the present down and wrapping his daughter in a tight hug. "So much honey."

In mid hug they heard the front door open. "SHE'S HERE SHES HERE!" A blonde haired man ran into the room and joined the duo in a tight group hug.

"I'm so happy to see you hun! How's Barden? Everything going well? Do you have a boyfriend yet Or a girlfriend? Cuz you know this family. we accept all types of love here."

"i know you two missed me, but i'm getting smothered in here..."

The men released their daughter and handed her the present. Stacie unwrapped it slowly, wondering what it could be. The box was small, so it could have been jewelry, but she wasn't sure. Once the wrapping was off, she lifted the cover slowly. her dads watched on, hoping that she'd like it.

Inside the box was a single key. She took it out of the box and cocked her head to the side.

"so, what exactly is this a key to? it better not be a chastity belt or im outta here."

The key in fact was not to a chastity belt, but a brand new porche. After the gifts and general hellos were exchanged, both parents noticed something was a little off with Stacie. It took some prodding, but she finally told them.

"Everything was going so well with the bellas. We were all becoming such a close group. Even Aubrey was letting loose." She smiled a bit at that."but it just went to shit. The audience wasn't listening to us and Beca jumped in and improved the set, but Aubrey was so mad and none of us said anything to help her. I know bree is stressed but i think she went too hard on Beca. The poor girl didn't mean to mess us up, she just was trying to help, and it did! and none of us stood up for her. i know we didn't want to take sides, but we shouldn't have done nothing. but it doesn't matter anymore. we lost and none of us are talking anymore."

dan took his daughters hands in his own. "It's never too late to fix it. You guys can still be friends."

He got up and let stacie think about the situation for a bit.

She opened her phone.

1 new message to Aubrey Posen, Chloe Beale, Fat Amy, silent ninja, Denise, Ashley, jessica, DJ Shortstack, Cynthia Rose

- happy spring break guys. i miss you.

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Stacie wasn't the only one trying to reconcile that break. Chloe sent message after message to beca.

beca, im so sorry.

I can't even express how truly sorry i am beca.

i should have been there for you.

everything you said was right. i don't have a say in the group.

im sorry.

please talk to me beca.

i miss you

i'm worried about you becs, please, please just say something to me. anything

I never meant to hurt you. i should have been there for you when you needed me.

this will be my last text. i'll say what i have to say, and if you don't want to see me again, don't respond, and i'll leave you alone. beca, i know i've said this already, but i am truly sorry. You opened yourself up to us, to me, and i know how much that took for you. You opened yourself up and all we did was treat you like shit. i'm so terribly sorry beca. You are my best friend, and i'd give anything to salvage our relationship. in case this is it, just know that the time since i met you has been some of the best times of my life, and i will never forget you. Thank you for being my friend.

A response was never sent.

Chloe moved out of her and Aubrey's apartment. It was surreal, knowing that they wouldn't be spending break together. They might not ever spend time together again. The season was over, and it was time to move on. Chloe decided to have her nodes removed. She prayed to God that she'd be able to at least sing a little, but she knew it probably wouldn't be. The doctor did inform her that she could still sing, but she'd never get above a g sharp. It was crushing news, but it had to be done. She couldn't struggle with the pain anymore, or the painful memories.

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School resumed again, and with new semesters came second chances. A group got disqualified from Finals, and the Bellas were moving into their place. Aubrey made sure the girls knew, and none were hesitant to return. Amy booked the first plane out of Australia to fly back. there was some protest from her loyal band of followers, but the bellas came first. Lilly and Donald were at an underground beatboxing club when the news came. She opened her mouth and screamed, but no sound came out.

"What's going on daddy's little firestarter?"

Lilly flashed Donald the message. "The bellas are moving on to finals. and we are gunna kick your sorry asses."

Cynthia rose was in the middle of a poker game. She was all in. In fact, they all were. The onyl one left was Beca. She was sitting in bed, crying over the breakfast club when it came. She had finally let herself watch the movie and She had to admit, Jesse had a point. Maybe not all movies were bad. She was in mid thought when her phone vibrated. It was a message from one of the only numbers she hadn't deleted.

Chloe Beale - i know i said i'd leave you be, but the bellas are back in finals. Aubrey's called practice, 3 o clock in the gym. We really want you there.

The girls quickly assembled back at the gym where aubrey had said to meet. All but beca that is. She was taking a visit to jesse. She thought he would be thrilled to see her, to hear that she'd watched the breakfast club and that she really wanted to make things right, but he wasn't.

"You push away anyone who could possibly care about you."

As much as that hurt, it was true. She pushed away him, She'd pushed away Chloe, and she'd pushed away her own family. She needed to make things right. She paid her father a visit, and told him the situation. She needed guidance. After a long discussion with him, she knew what she had to do.

Meanwhile back at the gym things were out of control. Tensions were high. The girls were completely out of it. When they brought up Beca, Aubrey took things personally. She felt as though they thought that all their problems were her fault. Chloe finally found her voice and challenged Aubrey but that only made things worse. Soon there was an all out physical fight that left Lilly covered in puke, Stacie frantically blowing the rape whistle, bellas cowering in the stands, and Fat Amy desperately trying to stop Chloe and Aubrey from literally tearing eachother apart.

Beca walked in on the scene, shocked and appalled by what she was seeing. She was greeted by a mixture of angry and horrified stares, Chloe's being the worst. Beca apologized to the best of her ability, and asked if she could rejoin, but there was no response. She took her cue and began to leave.

"beca wait."

beca turned to face Aubrey, who still had some puke on her.

"Look, i know i've been hard on you. i know that i have been hard on all of you." the girls nodded in agreement. Chloe crossed her arms and waited for whatever bullshit excuse aubrey would come up with. the two still hadn't spoken since semis.

"but i am my fathers daughter. and he always said, if at first you don't succeed, pack you bags." The blonde captain began tearing up and sat down in the bleachers.

always said...always...said...Chloe knew with that one sentence why Aubrey had been so closed up lately. Her dad didn't make it, and she never got to prove herself to him. the two shared a quick glance of forgiveness.

beca suggested that they all share something about themselves. they sat down in a circle, and Amy and Chloe took to comforting and cleaning Aubrey. Stacie admitted to having a lot of sex, and about how she wanted to be a forensic analyst. Cynthia Rose confessed to a gambling problem, and that she was gay.

'whooooopp there it issss" Amy chimed, happy her suspicions had been confirmed. She also confessed to her real name being Fat Patricia.

Chloe told the girls about her odes, and Beca admitted that for the first time she had some real friends, and she really liked it. Aubrey took a deep breathe as she realized what needed to be done. the past was the past, and it was time for a new future. The pitch pip was Becas,

She threw it to the alt girl, who dropped it and it skidded into the puke. It was a unanimous decision that they should finish practice somewhere else. they chose the pool. Beca stood facing the girls, who moved into singing formation. She delegated the song choice to Aubrey.

she's going to pick chloe to sing the lead..A smile crept on to her to play matchmaker. cheers to new romances. she thought

"Bruno Mars, Just the way you are"

Beca started them off with the tune, and the other girls quickly chimed in, filling in the bass, drum, and other background parts. Beca nodded to Chloe and she began to sing. She stared intently at beca the whole time, pouring her heart and soul into the lyrics. Beca stared back and began to chime in with just a dream. the other girls picked right up on the mix and before they knew it, they'd produced a true work of art. Aubrey glanced between beca and Chloe quickly. There was a connection between them, that much was plain as day. It was like a serenade between them.

They smiled to one another.

"Hands in." The girls all put their hands in, and counted together.

"1...2...AHHHHH"

The girls were still buzzing about their phenomenal pool performance as they made their way back to Aubrey and Chloe's place. They really were a talented group and cared very deeply for eachother. The aggression was done and over with, and it was time to get back to being a family. Beca fell behind, her thoughts consumed with their music. this was exactly the kind of feel they needed. it was natural and real. There were some other first times too. Lilly spoke at an audible level for the first time and revealed her new found talent. She could beatbox. On top of that, Chloe could now hit the base notes. Most of the bellas were focusing on their future performances, but a few were thinking about their last one.

One of them fell in line with Beca,

"Hey gurl, you gotta keep up. the rest of us are already half way to Aubrey's."

Beca smiled at the girl next to her.

"Sorry Cynthia, i was just thinking."

Cynthia smiled knowingly. "About the pool performance by any chance?"

Beca nodded as they continued walking. "Yah. Everything just felt so right ya know. We all listened and blended, and i don't know..." She looked over unsurely at Cynthia, "and this is going to sound really dumb but, it was like there was magic in the air."

Cynthia looked forward and smiled. "Yah, there was certainly love in the air." She winked over at Beca, but she didn't notice. She continued, "It's good to have you back Beca. It wasn't the same without you."

Beca widened her eyes, "yah i could tell by the puke puddle and the total cat fight goin on. also, i'm pretty sure i saw Denise praying for her life in the corner."

Cynthia let out a hearty laugh. "ya got that right. ya know, tonight was the most alive i've seen you since the bus to ICCAS."

"Yah. it's good to be back." Beca looked at the ground and pursed her lips, sighing slightly.

"You seem troubled. everything ok?" Cynthia asked, genuinely concerned.

Beca looked over at Cynthia. She had a problem, and she needed to talk about it. Damn how she hated that feeling. Usually she'd stuff it down, but lately she realized that might not be the best option. "I just...im not sure about something..ya know?"

Cynthia shook her head. "No."

Beca laughed slightly. "i mean, i really kinda messed some stuff up, and i don't know i guess i want to address some feelings, but i don't want to because i'm afraid they'll be all wrong and..." She looked at Cynthia rose, who had a blank expression on her face. "I'm not making any sense am i?"

"Actually," Cynthia smiled, "You are. I know where your coming from bec. When the time comes, just remember my advice"

"And whats that?"

"Throw caution to the wind."

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Beca spent the next few days trying to develop their mashup for finals. The bellas had brainstorms that lasted for hours, where they would put out ideas and test out combinations. It ws going quite well, but something was still missing from their mix.

She still hadn't made up with Jesse. She'd tried, but he hadn't accepted it. She thought back over their entire friendship. what would really speak to him? what would mean the most?

She opened up her laptop to see the main menu of the Breakfast club. She'd watched it again since her failed attempt to reconcile with Jesse.

That's it! She knew what she had to do. Beca opened up the bellas mix and began reworking it with "Dont you forget about me." She knew that once Jesse heard this he'd understand. All she wanted was her friend back.

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The girls beamed proudly out into the crowd. They had done it! Everyone had loved them and were now giving them a full standing ovation. the trebles and Jesse were all standing, hooting and hollering in support. The girls all took to hugging and cheering. Even Aubrey and Beca decided to hug. Time felt as though it was stopping as Chloe made her way over to Beca. this was it. tonight was the night she was going to tell Beca everything.

Beca spotted her and pulled her into a tight hug. they held the hug for a minute before leaning back to look at eachother, arms still holding eachothers bodies.

"tonight is perfect. Thank you for everything Beca."

Beca smiled brightly at Chloe. "It wasn't just me. You all did just as much as i did."

Chloe shook her head slightly, "Beca, you inspired all of us, - "

"and you inspired me." They stared deeply into eachothers eyes. Chloe's heart raced. To her right now, there was no one else. It was only her and Beca. Everything felt so right, she had to restrain herself from leaning in and kissing her.

Beca smirked slightly. "You said tonight was perfect, but there's just one more thing i have to do."

throw caution to the wind

heheheeh what happens next? what's beca going to do? only time shall tell :)